81 dash cap
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 420
Likes: 3
From: deposit new york
81 dash cap
has anyone put one of the aftermarket dash caps over their stock dash, and how did it fit, look and could you post some pics?? I was also wondering if anyone has tried putting the tail light lenses from a earlier vette on a 81 and if it would fit?? thanks everyone 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
My 81 came with a dash cap installed from the PO. I didn't even know it until I thought about taking the front speakers out. There is no speaker cover to remove. I think it fits great and looks like a new dash. I don't know how hard it is to install but someone did a great job on mine. I'll get you some pictures later this weekend. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 420
Likes: 3
From: deposit new york
thanks I would love to see what one really looks like after its installed, does the glove box looks like its sunk in any, strange with the front speakers I figured they would be cut out and just move the grills from the original up to the new cover
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 48
From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Here's mine I installed a few months ago...
The biggest headache I had was fitting the Headlight Switch bezel thing back on. Had to get a little creative to get it to fit. Very little trimming needed to be done. Just need to be patient and carefully fit and trim if and where needed.
The biggest headache I had was fitting the Headlight Switch bezel thing back on. Had to get a little creative to get it to fit. Very little trimming needed to be done. Just need to be patient and carefully fit and trim if and where needed.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,678
Likes: 3,129
From: Shamong, NJ
A friend of mine, who restores Corvettes, has used the dash caps, on a couple 78-82's that he's done.
To start with, the speaker covers are not removable, unlike the stock dash. Beyond that, if installed correctly, most people can never tell that it's a cap.
You remove everything from the dash, before installing the cap. After the cap's in place, the gauge cluster, glove box door, etc., all go back in over the cap, to fit like stock. About the only place you can really tell it's a cap, is around the 2 dash vents. If you know to look at them, you can tell that they are set in a little deeper than stock, with the cap in place.
To start with, the speaker covers are not removable, unlike the stock dash. Beyond that, if installed correctly, most people can never tell that it's a cap.
You remove everything from the dash, before installing the cap. After the cap's in place, the gauge cluster, glove box door, etc., all go back in over the cap, to fit like stock. About the only place you can really tell it's a cap, is around the 2 dash vents. If you know to look at them, you can tell that they are set in a little deeper than stock, with the cap in place.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
When I bought my 80 the dash was cracked. I was going to order a cap but was talked out of it by Wilcox, saying they didn't fit well. So I ordered a dash pad replacement. That didn't fit great. By the pictures the cap fits better than the replacement dash pad.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 420
Likes: 3
From: deposit new york
I think that looks great, I had the same experience today I was all set to order it, and was talked out of it, but I think from what I see it will do the job just fine, without the headache of pulling the entire dash to install it
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